On 14 November, the European Commission will adopt two pieces of legislation concerning the use of additives in food. The objective is to make the use of additives in food even safer and more transparent. In this context, a new database will be prepared which will include Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni plant, which originates in Paraguay) as a new additive for the EU market.

The background:

Additives are substances used for a variety of reasons -such as preservation, colouring, sweetening, etc.- during the preparation of food. The EU legislation provides that food additives must have advantages and benefits for the consumer. The two pieces of legislation are an important step towards more transparency and information. In order to ensure that the exposure is safe for the consumer, the requested uses and use levels had to be revised. The regulation which will be adopted on Monday mirrors the outcome of this process.

On 15 November, the European Commission will adopt its work programme for 2012. It will set out the concrete agenda for its work in 2012 and beyond. The Work Programme for 2012 will include a list of strategic initiatives to be delivered, other major proposals until the end of the mandate of this Commission and a list of simplifications and withdrawals.

The background:

The 2012 Work Programme will be adopted under the new programming cycle agreed between the European Commission and the European Parliament in their Framework agreement from 2010.

The process was initiated on 28 September with President Barroso’s State of the Union address and the letter he sent to the members of the European Parliament outlining the main elements of the future Work Programme. This was followed by an exchange of views between the European Commission and the European Parliament on the priorities of the Union.

The event:

15.00 - President Barroso will present the European Commission Work Programme 2012 during the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Tuesday 15 November: European Commission to propose new programmes for justice, rights and citizenship

The news:

The European Commission will put forward proposals for simplified funding programmes to help build an EU area of justice. The proposals will support the EU's actions to promote equality, improve European cooperation on civil and criminal law, and allow people to exercise their rights as EU citizens.

The two new programmes represent a major simplification compared to the six existing ones. They will help to support activities ranging from training for judges and lawyers to the sharing of good practices among European policy makers and tools such as the e-Justice portal.

The background:

In 2007-2013 the EU had six different financial programmes in the justice, fundamental rights and citizenship field, amounting to a total of €711 million. Under the Commission's new proposals, these would be replaced by two programmes covering justice on the one hand, and rights and citizenship on the other.

Within the Multiannual Financial Framework for period 2014 – 2020 the Commission will make proposals to simplify the structure of the home affairs programmes by reducing the number of Funds to two: an Asylum and Migration Fund and an Internal Security Fund.

A reduction of the number of instruments and their implementing rules will simplify procedures and cut the red tape for all stakeholders. It will ensure that a number of activities will be funded quickly and with flexibility, in particular when facing emergency situations.

The package that will be adopted on 15 November will consist of:

A Communication on 'Building an open and secure Europe: the Home Affairs budget for 2014-2020'

Five legislative proposals establishing the two Funds and underpinning their operation with a common and simple framework.

The background:

Over the next decades, the EU will continue to face important challenges in the area of home affairs. The EU will need to continue to fight organised crime, corruption and terrorism, to properly address irregular migration, to ensure an effective border management system, but also to show solidarity with those in need of international protection.

During a public consultation on the future of home affairs funding (5 January-20 March 2011), stakeholders stressed the need to reduce administrative burdens and simplify the rules.

The Commission further pursued the talks with Member States, international organisations, non-profit organisations, etc. (IP/11/451).

Although the current home affairs financial instruments are generally considered to have achieved their objectives and function effectively, they should be improved to fully address future challenges.

As part of its work in creating a sounder and stronger financial system, the Commission will propose major changes to the existing rules on credit rating agencies (CRAs). Whilst credit rating agencies are important actors in the financial markets, developments during the debt crisis in the euro area have shown that there is a need to re-examine certain aspects of the current regulatory framework.

These relate notably to:

over-reliance on credit ratings by financial market participants, in part because of the excessive use of credit ratings for regulatory purposes;

conflicts of interest inherent to the prevailing issuer-pays-model of remuneration of credit rating agencies and conflicts of interest linked to the shareholder structure of CRAs which means that a shareholder of a CRA can have its own products rated by the same CRA,

Specificities of certain categories of ratings, notably related to sovereign debt instruments, that are not sufficiently addressed in the current CRA Regulations. In particular, during the debt crisis, CRAs have been criticised with regard to the timing and transparency of their sovereign debt ratings and the question has been raised whether the EU regulatory framework for CRAs needs to be further strengthened to address this,

civil liability of CRAs in cases of gross malpractice or negligence,

the lack of choice and diversity in the rating market due to the limited number of rating actors, in particular bigger rating agencies.

The background:

Credit rating agencies (CRAs) are important players in the financial landscape and have a major impact on today's financial markets, with rating actions being closely followed by investors, borrowers, issuers and governments. Credit ratings are also prevalent in the EU and national regulatory frameworks, for example in terms of defining what capital a bank must hold. Whilst recognising the important role played by CRAs in terms of evaluating creditworthiness, the financial crisis and recent developments in the context of the debt crisis have accentuated the need to re-examine certain aspects of rating activities. A number of issues related to credit rating activities and the use of ratings are not addressed in the existing CRA Regulations. Also, there are growing concerns that financial institutions and institutional investors may be relying too much on external ratings and do not carry out sufficient internal credit risk assessments, which may lead to volatile markets and instability of the financial system. In order to address these concerns, the Commission intends to take all the necessary measures to reduce the automatic reliance on credit ratings, notably by eliminating references to ratings in existing EU legislation, where possible.

On 17 November, the eve of European Antibiotic Awareness Day, the European Commission will adopt a comprehensive five-year Action Plan to tackle antimicrobial resistance. Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, John Dalli, and Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, Máire Geoghegan Quinn, will present the 12-point Action Plan and talk about other Commission initiatives tackling the growing problem of AMR. Dr Marc Sprenger, Director of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) will announce the latest EU-wide data on antibiotic resistance.

The background:

Since the 1990s AMR has been recognised as a serious threat to public health. Antibiotic resistance has led to hospital-acquired infections, respiratory tract infections, meningitis, and other diseases and infections. Resistant bacteria can be transferred from animals to humans via the food chain or through direct contact. The Commission has launched various initiatives and actions across sectors, i.e. human and veterinary medicine, food and feed and scientific research. The Action Plan to be announced on 17 November is the latest in a series of measures taken by the Commission to tackle AMR.

The event:

What: Press Conference by Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, John Dalli, Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, Máire Geoghegan Quinn and Dr Marc Sprenger, Director of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)

When: Thursday 17 November after the Midday Briefing

Where: Berlaymont Press Room, in Brussels

IP and MEMO will be available on the day

Following the Midday Press briefing, the extended Press event "European Initiatives to Keep Antibiotics Working," will be held from 13h00 to 14h30 at the Brussels Press Club, 95 Rue Froissart.

The Commission will present a Communication on the future development of a comprehensive European approach to migration issues when dealing with third countries.

The aim is to launch a new phase of the 'Global Approach to Migration and Mobility'.

A renewed approachshould allow the EU to respond in a more efficient manner to increasing migration and changing migration trends. It is important tobetter reflect the strategic objectives of the Union and translate them into concrete proposals for structured dialogue and cooperation, notably with the Southern and Eastern Neighbourhood, Africa, enlargement countries and with other partners.

The background:

The EU is facing a number of challenges and opportunities in the area of migration and mobility, which require a strategic approach for relations with third countries.

The European Union’s 'Global Approach to Migration' was adopted in 2005. It operates as a framework for dialogue and practical cooperation with the EU's partner countries, bringing together different policy areas, such as development, social affairs and employment, external relations and home affairs.

The Communication to be adopted on 18 November will look at ways of consolidating this process and ensuring that the EU has better targeted tools in the future and that the dialogue with third countries is mutually beneficial.

Sunday 20 November: Commissioner Piebalgs begins a tour of five countries in West Africa

The news:

European Commissioner Piebalgs will begin a tour of five West African countries on Sunday 20 November. His aim is to discuss political issues and the next steps in the ‘Agenda for Change’ (http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/news/agenda_for_change_en.htm). So, during his meetings and grassroots contacts at every stage of the tour, the Commissioner will be taking stock of the state of programmes in the agriculture, energy and priority social sectors. He will also be meeting leading figures in the private sector and civil society. His trip will take him first to Togo (20-21 November) where he will attend the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly and meet President Gnassingbé. He will then travel to Benin (22 November) where he will meet President Yayi and others. The Commissioner will then travel to three Sahel countries: Mali (23 November), Burkina Faso (24 November) and Niger (25 November). The programme for this tour of the Sahel will feature meetings with the authorities of these countries to assess cooperation, including the Sahel Strategy recently adopted by the EU Council. He will also visit a number of projects related to the Millennium Development Goals in the following areas: agriculture and food security, priority social sectors, water and sanitation. The Commissioner will meet with key people in the private sector and civil society as well as the highest ranking authorities of the countries visited. At every stage, the Commissioner will highlight the regional dimension of development, particularly at a meeting with the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) in Ouagadougou. It should be remembered that the EU is the principal development partner of the countries visited, which are among the world’s poorest.

The background:

Having been suspended from 1993 to 2006, cooperation with Togo is now fully restored following the general elections of 2007 and the presidential elections of 2010. The holding of the ACP-EU Parliamentary Assembly thus marks the country’s return to the cooperation stage. Benin is hailed in West Africa as a model and for its democratic tradition. Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso are three Sahelian countries suffering from enormous problems of poverty and whose fragile equilibrium is shaken by terrorism and insecurity. To fight these problems the EU has recently developed a strategy for security and development in the Sahel based on an integrated approach to improve the coherence, coordination and effectiveness of EU action in the region.

The event:

The IP and MEMO will be published before the visits to Togo, Benin, Mali and Burkina Faso.

The sources:

Increasing the impact of EU Development Policy: an Agenda for Change (communication)

The Commission will present a new package of measures to deepen European Union and euro area economic governance. These include: two co-decision regulations, on linking EFSF/ESM assistance with country surveillance and on further deepening of fiscal surveillance for euro area Member States with excessive deficits; a communication on the external representation of the euro area; a green paper on euro stability bonds; and the 2012 Annual Growth Survey.

The background:

2011 saw the first European Semester of economic policy coordination as well as the agreement on the 'Six Pack' economic governance package. On 23 November, the Commission will launch the second European Semester with the presentation of the 2012 Annual Growth Survey, setting the broad economic policy priorities for the EU over the coming 12-18 months. At the same time, it will propose further steps forward in economic and budgetary surveillance, building on the 'Six Pack' which will soon enter into force. This, like the ideas we will present on the external representation of the euro area, are fully in line with what was agreed at the 26 October Euro Summit. Finally, the green paper on stability bonds will put forward different options for the joint issuance of bonds in the euro area.

As part of its work in creating a sounder and stronger financial system, the Commission will table proposals to reform the European audit market on 23 November. In the light of the 2008 financial crisis, important questions and doubts have been raised on the credibility and reliability of audited financial statements, notably those of banks and other financial institutions. Questions have also been raised on the role of auditors, their independence and the general sustainability of the current highly-concentrated audit market that is dominated by four large companies (the "Big Four": Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG and PwC).

The Commission proposals will address the weaknesses identified, by ensuring auditor's independence, robust supervision and by facilitating the creation of more capacity at the top end of the market.

The background:

Auditors form an integral part of the financial environment. It is their role to contribute to the credibility and reliability of financial statements of banks, other financial institutions and listed companies for example.

But the financial crisis highlighted weaknesses in the system. Although audits of some large financial institutions just before or during the crisis resulted in 'clean' audit reports, there remained serious intrinsic weaknesses in the financial health of the audited institutions. With a view to learning all the lessons from the crisis and in the wider context of the current financial reform, the Commission launched a consultation last year to have a debate on the role of audit. More than 600 responses were received and these were taken in to consideration in the preparation of the proposal to be unveiled on 23 November.

Wednesday 23 November (date to be confirmed): Erasmus for All and Creative Europe 2014-2020

The news:

Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou will announce the European Commission's proposal for 'Erasmus for All', the new programme for education, training, youth and sport, and 'Creative Europe', the new programme for the cultural and creative sector.

The background:

The Commission aims to strengthen investment in education, training and youth and the cultural and creative sector. Both programmes are part of the Commission's proposal for a multi-annual budget for 2014-2020.

The new programme for education, training and youth would allocate €19.5 billion (+ 70%) over seven years; the increase underlines the priority given to investing in knowledge and skills to support job creation and growth in Europe. The programme would ensure that more people benefit from EU grants to study or train abroad; it would also promote cooperation between governments, educational institutions, businesses and other partners, to support the policy reforms needed to modernise education systems and promote innovation, entrepreneurship and employability.

The 'Creative Europe' programme will support the cultural and creative sectors with a budget of €1.8 billion (+37%). The focus will be on helping culture and audiovisual professionals to make the most of the Single Market and to reach new audiences in Europe and beyond, as well as promoting cultural diversity and the Europe 2020 objectives for jobs and sustainable growth.

The event:

Press Conference with Commissioner Vassiliou, Berlaymont Press Room (to be confirmed). A press release and memo will be available the same day.

On Thursday 24 November, the European Commission will adopt its monthly infringements package. These decisions cover all Member States and most of EU policies and seek to enforce EU law across Europe in the interest of both citizens and businesses.

The background:

Article 258 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) gives the Commission the power to take legal action against a Member State that is not respecting its obligations under EU law. There are three successive stages: Letter of formal notice, reasoned opinion and referral to the Court of Justice. If, despite the ruling, a Member State still fails to act, the Commission may open a further infringement case under Article 260 of the TFEU. After only one written warning, Commission may refer a Member State back to the Court and it can propose that the Court imposes financial penalties based on the duration and severity on the infringement and the size of the Member State.

Tuesday 29 November: The European Commission proposes Open Data Strategy

The news:

The European Commission will adopt an Open Data Strategy - a set of measures aimed at increasing government transparency and creating a €32 billion a year market for public data. The package will consist of:

- regulatory measures, including a modification of the existing Directive on the re-use of public sector information;

- deployment measures such as a creation of open data portals at European level.

The background:

Government organisations across Europe produce and collect large amounts of information. Examples are maps, meteorological, legal, traffic, financial and economic information. This information has a significant – currently untapped – potential for re-use in new products and services, for example mobile applications adapting and linking geographical, legal or statistical data. In 2010 the market for products and services based on public sector information was estimated to be worth around €32 billion across the EU, according to a recent study. The same study indicated that further opening up of public sector information by allowing easier access would generate overall economic gains of around €40 billion a year for the EU. The 2003 Directive (2003/98/EC) on the re-use of public sector information has led to a minimum harmonisation and progress across the EU, but significant differences in national rules, for example on licensing and pricing, as well as different practices still exist. This results in a fragmentation in the Single Market for data based products and services. Moreover, the lack of interoperability between the information resources, and insufficient availability of the information in a machine readable format make it impossible to reap the full benefits from the new opportunities of government data in the digital age.

These considerations have led the Commission to revise and strengthen its public data strategy.

The strategy will be presented in a Commission Communication to the European Parliament and to the Council. The Communication will be accompanied by a proposal for modifying the Directive on the re-use of public sector information (the main element of the regulatory framework for re-use) and a revised Commission decision on the re-use of the Commission's information.

The event:

Press conference by Vice President Kroes in the Berlaymont press room (to be confirmed).

IP and MEMO will be available on the day.

The sources:

More detailed information on the EU policy on public sector information and open data strategy, including the study:

The European Commission will adopt two proposals for new programmes in the field of anti-fraud:

Hercule III which promotes activities related to the protection of the EU’s financial interests.

Pericles 2020 which aims to strengthen the protection of euro banknotes and coins in Europe and worldwide and the fight against counterfeit money.

The background:

These proposals are part of the Commission’s package linked to the next Multiannual Financial Framework for 2014-2020 (MEMO/11/468).

The budget for the Hercule III programme is € 15 million per year or € 110 million for the whole period. The current programme includes the following measures: coordination of activities related to the protection of the EU's financial interests such as joint customs operations; training and development and supply of specific IT tools.

The Hercule III will among other things result in savings for the Member States as a result of collective procurement of specialised equipment and databases as well as an increased effectiveness of cross-border operations.

The budget for the Pericles 2020 programme is € 1.1 million per year or € 7.7 million in total. The actions organised under Pericles are addressed primarily to national law enforcement agencies, national central banks and banknote issuing institutions as well as judicial authorities, commercial banks, money exchange offices and the cash-operated industry (e.g. cash-machines). They focus on providing technical, scientific and operational assistance, delivering specialised professional training, improving cooperation between competent authorities and raising awareness on the counterfeiting of the euro.